Ventilation regulating apparatus



Aug. 9, 1932. A. I... FREULER VENTILATION REGULATING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 30. 1936 .ZN VENTOR flr/Aor L. Frau/er.

147- 7'0 RNE Y Patented Aug. 9,- 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR L. FREULEB, OF ST. LO'UIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF NTNETY PER CENT T JULIAN MAAS AND Tm PER CENT TO CHESTER E. MYERS, BOTH OF ST. LOUIS,

MISSOURI VENTILATION REGULATING' APPARATUS Application filed January 30,1930. Serial No. 424,513.

This invention relates to a certain new and useful improvement in ventilation regulatmg apparatus and has particular reference to :1 preferably time set power-actuator for.

automatically closing a window or other movable or shiftable closure at 'a predetermined time.

The chief objects of my invention are to provide efiicient power actuated means for closing the window or other closure; to provide means for manually disconnecting the power-actuated means when the window or closure is to be manually opened or closed; to provide means for automatically restoring the operative connection between the power-actuated means and the window when the window is to he power-actuated in closing movement; to provide means for operating the power actuated means by remote control; to provide a time-set means or clockcontrolled switch for operation of the poweractuated means at a predetermined time; and to provide other means for automatically stopping the power-actuated means at a predetermined position of the window.

And with the above and other objects in view, my invention resides in the novel features of form. construction, arrangement, and combination of parts hereinafter de scribed and pointed-out in the claims.

In ..1e accompanying drawing,-'

Figurel is an elevational view of a doublehung window equipped with a ventilation controlling apparatus of my invention:

Figure 2 is a detail sectional view taken approximately along the line 2-2. Figure 1, showing the means for manually disconnecting the power device and for-automatically restoring the operative connection on actuation of the power device;

Figure 3 is a detail'sectional view taken approximately along the line 3-3, Figure 1, showing'the expansible-nut-device in actuator-engaging position;

Figure 4 is adetail sectional view similar to Figure 3, showing the expansible-nut-device in actuator-releasing position for operatively disconnecting the power device:

Figure 5 is a back view of the expansiblenut-device as mounted in its housing, a portion of the actuator-screwbeing shown in to Figure 7 showing the contact-actuator re- 7 turned to time-set position;

Figure 9 1s a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately along the line '9 --9, Figure 6, showing the contact-actuator-detent engaging the time-release gear-of the clock; v

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectionalview similar to Figure 9, showing the manner in which the contact-actuator-detent may be yieldingly depressed below the time release gear in returning the contact-actuator to clock-controlled position :and

Fig. 11 is a horizontal section along the line 11'11 of Fig. 1.

Referring now more in detail and by reference characters to the drawing, which illustrates a preferred embodiment of my invention, the apparatus is shown in connection with a so-called double-hung window comprising a lower sash 1 and an upper sash 2 arranged to shiftably slide in a window- 1 frame 3 in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. r

The present apparatus is adapted especial- 1y. though not exclusively, to permit the manual opening of the window, that is to say, the lifting of the lower sash 1, and the subsequent power closing or lowering of the sash 1, and for suchv purpose the, apparatus includes awindow-actuator A having oper-.

ative connection with the sash 1, motivation of the Window actuator A being electrically controlled by a time-switch B for closure of the window at'a predetermined time.

The actuator A includes a shell or so-called carriage preferably in the form of a hollow body-member or casing for protective enclosure of the moving parts housed therein. The shell 4 isadapted for attachment to-the window-sash to be shiftably moved and, in the present instance, is secured to the upper rail 1a of the lower sash 1 by suitable fastening elements passed through lateral lugs 5, 5, extending from each side of the housing 4, as bestseen in Figure 1."

6 designates a threaded actuator-member or shaft, the lower journal 7 of which is fixed in the shell-casing 4., The upper journal of the shaft 6, however, is preferably included in a swingable-head-block 8 slidably mounted on the shaft 6 and having a collar 9 passed through-the upper wall of the casing 4 for permitting an oscillatory movement to the block 8 while centralizing the shaft 6 in the shell 4. The block 8 is preferably in the form of a short generally cylindrical memher having an interrupted peripher to provide a flattened portion from whic is presented a boss 8, for purposes later appear-. ing,

h'uspended from the cage-head or block 8, is a plurality of pins 10 united at their depending lower end by a disk or circular end piece 10 and forming, as it might be said, a pin-cage depending from the head-block 8 in parallelism with the shaft 6. Swingably mounted, on the respective pins 10, is a plurality of nut-segments 11, each adapted for movement into or out of engagement with the threaded'shaft 6, and, as a'whole, forming an expansible-sleeve-nut-device for selectively supporting the shell 4 on the actuator 6 and for establishing an operative mechanical connection between the actuatorshaft 6 and. the shell or carriage 4.- Each nut-segment 11 is, as may be said, pivotally connected to the pin-cage and preferably compris a longitudinally cylinder-segmental intenorly threaded body portion having at its opposite ends suitable laterally presented lugs or brackets 12, 13, each ournaled on the adjacent end of one of the pins 10 for swingable actuation of the respectlve segment between the block 8 and end piece 10, and for such actuating purpose the preferably lower lug, as 13, is provided with an edgewise cam-face 14 having co-operation with a suitable fixed pin 15 upstanding preferably from a flanged portion 16 of the lower journal member 7, the cam 14 being provided with end stops 17, 17, for causing the swing of the nut-segn'ient 11.

Such swingable movement of the expansible-nut segments 11 is accomplished by oscillating the head-member 8 on the shaft 6. on which movement the several pins 10 will be rotarily shifted both relatively to the shaft 6 and the pins 15. hen the pins 10 are augularly furthest from the pins 15, the cams 14 act to close the respective nut-segments 11 into co-operativc threaded engagement with the shaft 6. Figure 3, and when the pins 10 are angularly nearest to the pins 15, the latter impinge the respective adjacent stops 17,

' erably to some relatively non-moving or whereby the segments 11 are swung apart out of operative connection with the shaft 6, Figure 4.

For manually oscillating the cage-block 8, a pin 18 is laterally presented from the block for swingable movement in a suitable aperture 19 provided for the purpose in the front wall of the shell or carriage 4, Figure 2, the pin 18 being readily accessible for manipulation by a person located in front of the window. By such manipulation, the shell 4 may be operatively connected to or disconnected from the shaft 6, and when so operatively or mechanically connected to the shaft 6, rotation of the shaft 6 will cause the movement therealong of the carriage 4, the raising orlowering of the window-sash 1 resulting.

For such purposes, the shaft 6 is rotatably anchored against endwise displacement preffixed member, as the upper part of the window frame 3, whereby, on rotation of the shaft 6, the sash 1 will be shifted toward or from said fixed point. Preferably such anchoring means includes a housing or support 20 for protective enclosure of a suitable operative means, as a gear and worm arrangement 21, 22, Figure 11, of which the gear 21 is mounted on a suitable hub or like element 23 fixed on the shaft 6, the latter being suitably journaled through the housing 20 and the element 23 being adapted to impingly revolvingly bear its opposite ends on the like walls of the housing 20 for limiting the endwise or axial movement of the shaft 6 with respect thereto. For rotative actuation of the shaft 6, the gear 21 meshes with its cooperating worm 22 having operative connection with a suitable prime-moveror powerdevice, which, the present instance, includes an electric-motor 24, which, as will be understood, is motiva-ted'on supply of current in proper manner and degree for lowering the sash 1, and it may be here said that preferably, for constructional reasons, the motor 24 is fixed or mounted onthe window frame 3 or its adjacent wall, and the housing 20 is, in turn, supported from the frame of the motor 24, as shown in Figure 1.

1 Such motivation of thelelectric motor 24 is accomplished by supplying electric current thereto through a suitable circuit comprising leads 25, 26, having suitable connection withra source of potential, as shown by the plus-and-minus signs in Figure 1, and it will be understood that, by the employment of suitable switching means, the motor may be actuated for raising and lowering the window at will when and if the carriage or shell 4 is mechanically connected to the shaft 6. However, one practical use of the apparatus is to provide an automatic window-closing device, the sash 1 insuch regard being closed from a selected open position to at its oscillatoryend a roller adapted at its mid-position to closinglyengage one of a pair of normally spaced preferably resilient switch-contacts 31, 32, inserted inone of the leads, as 26, for normally interrupting the electrical circuit of the motor 24.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, the alarm shaft 28 is actuated by the clock-mechanism at a predetermined time or times controlled by the settingof the alarm mechanism; however, in the present embodiment, the shaft 28 and its carried contactactuating arm 29 has an oscillatory or swinging movement limited by the impingement of the roller 30 at its extreme positions on suitable stops or shoulders 33, 34, preferably formed by cut-out portions of the back-wall of the clock in such manner as to be in the path of movement of the roller 30. Hence, when the roller 30 impinges the stop 33, the contact-actuator 29 is in what may be described as its clock-controlled position, from thence to be swingably moved or rotated on actuation of the alarm shaft 28 by the clock-mechanism at the time determined by the setting of the alarm-mechanism. At

an intermediate point of its swinging movement, the roller 30 engages the contact-member 31 for shifting the same into circuitclosing contact with the contact-member 32, the motivation of the window-actuator A being thereby effected in such manner as to lower the sash 1 from its raised position.

Having regard to the time required to effect such lowering of the sash 1, means is provided for maintaining the motivation of the motor 24 for the desired period by retaining the contact-actuating roller 30 in circuit-closing position for a selected or predeterminea interval of time, such interval being selected suitably for the purpose of avoiding the overloading of the motor in the event of a'.-:tuck window, as may occur in damp or cold weather, but in order that the motor 24 may be cut out after such time interval, the arm 29 is thereafter caused to move by the spring of the alarm-mechanism to circuit-opening position, wherein the roller 30 releases the contact 31 for disengageient from the contact 32, the roller 30 coming to rest impingingly against thestop 34. For such purposes, a spur gear 35 1s closing position, Figure 6; Preferably the gear 35 rotates in detent releasing direction after the manner of a gear and pinion arrangement, and hence it will be seen that, after a certain period of revolution of the continuously rotating minute-hand shaft 36, the detent 37 will be released from its engaged geartooth for movement of the actuator arm 28 to circuit-opening position, as described, Figure 7.

lVhen it is desired to reset the time-switch B, preferably a suitable detachable key 38 is caused to engage the complementary alarm shaft 28 for rotative purposes. Preferably the detent 37 is formed of spring material and has one end fitting over the usual squared end of the alarm shaft 28, in flatwlse engagement withthe hub of the arm 29 for rotation therewith, thence the meniber 37 is folded encirclingly over the end of the shaft 28, the shaft 28 being upwardly presented through a suitable aperture 37 in the member 37, thence down and outwardly from said shaft to form a tooth-like presented detent end 39 normally disposed in the plane of the gear 35'. When the key 38 is engaged with the shaft 28, the detent 37 will yield to the impingement of the key 38 in such manner as to depress the tooth-engaging end 39 of the detent 37 below the plane of the gear 35 for free swingable move ment thereunder, Figure 10, such movement occurring on 'swinging'actuation of the arm 29 to cloclecontrolled or time-set position, Figure 3. I

To avoid useless expenditure of power, a limit-switch 40 is inserted in the circuitwire 25 in a manner and for a purpose wellknown to those skilled in the art, the switch 40 having, as is usual in such constructions, a lever 41 adapted for impingement by a stop 42 on the sash 1, the switch 40 being preferably mounted on the window frame 3 for cutting out the motor 24 when and as the window is closed, Figure 1, although the limit-switch 40 may be otherwise disposed, and there may be more than one limit-switch, at the option of the person constructing or using the apparatus. 7

In the present embodiment, the apparatus is, as has been said, especially, though not exclusively, adapted for use as a window-closing device, and it will be seen that in such particular use the shaft 6 is poweractuated in window-closing direction only. Advantage is taken of this fact in providing for the automatic mechanical connection of the shell 4 with the shaft 6 if the expansible-nut members 11 should be left actuator-shaft disconnected position, as may occur when using a counterweighted sash. For such purpose, the cage-block 8 is provided with a bore 43 opening at its inner end on the shaft 6 journaled, as has been said, in

6 in window-closing direction will swingably' actuate the head-block 8, and it may be said that the several parts are so arranged that such actuation of the block 8 will automatically close the expansible-nut members 11 into engagement with the threaded shaft 6 irrespective of the original position thereof. However, reverse actuation of the shaft 6 will disconnect or disengage the carriage 4 from the actuator (S, if such he desired may add that for a non-counterbala1.eed

sash, the manually operable expansible-nut device provides a convenient means for setting or holding the sash in any desired or selected more or less opened position, that is to say,'the sash 1 may be disconnected from the actuator shaft 6, lifted to the desired position, and then reconnected to the shaft 6.

and thereby held or locked, as it may be said, in such latter position. Further, in all types of sash, the same may be manually opened or closed at will by mechanically disconnecting the sash from the actuator shaft.

The use of the apparatus has been set forth as the description has proceeded. However, obviously, the apparatus is not to be limited in its practical uses to the double-hung sash shown, or to its employment as a window or other closure actuating or closing device, for it will be evident that the apparatus may be used as a time-set window-opening-device or for both opening and closing purposes, so that, in such regard, the apparatus provides highly effective, efiicient, and practical means for actuation of windows generally and more especially for the remote-control of said actuator means, if desired, by ,a time-set means, and in such respect the apparatus finds useful applications in residences. stores, factories, and the like, wherever. as may be more particularly pointed out, it-1s desired .to control the ventilation of abuilding by regulation of the window openings therein at predetermined time and degree.

While'I have herein described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that changes and modifications in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the severalparts thereof may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention. 7

Having thus described my invention, what 1. Apparatus comprising, in combination. a carriage adapted for attachment to a movable closure, a rotative threaded shaft adapted to be actuated for shifting movement of said carriage thereby and therealong, an expansible-nut-device for selectively engaging the carriage with the shaft, said device including a plurality of threaded members adapted for swingable actuation into 'orout of co-operative engagement with the shaft, means for swingingly actuating said threaded members, said last means including an oscillatory member pivotally conjoined to said threaded members, and cam .means on said threaded members having operative ('0- action with fixed members on the carriage on actuation of said oscillatorymember.

2. Apparatus comprising, in'combination. a carriage adapted for attachment to a movable closure, a rotative threaded shaft adapted to be actuated for shiftingmovement of said carriage thereby and therealong, an expansible-nut-device for selectively engaging the carriage with the shaft, said device including a plurality of threaded members adapted for swingable actuation into or out of co-operative engagement with the shaft, means for swingingly actuating said thread ed members. said last means including an oscillatory member pivotally conjoined to said threaded members, and spring-setmeans carried by said oscillatory member for frictional engagement with said shaft.

3. Closure actuating apparatus comprising, in combination with a movable closure and its casing, a carriage fixed on the closure, a threaded rotary shaft journaled for rotation on the casing, means for rotarily actuating the shaft, and means including a cage on the carriage and a plurality of nut-segments pivotally mounted on the cage for engagement with the shaft for operatively connectingthe carriage to the shaft.

4. Apparatus comprising, in combination, a. carriage adapted for attachment to a mov able closure, a rotative threaded shaft adapt- 5. Apparatus comprising, in combination,

said carriage thereby and therealong, an expansible-nut-device including an oscillatory cage on the carnage for selectively engaging I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent a carriage adapted for attachment to a mov- I able closure, a rotative threaded shaft adapted to be actuated for shifting movement of the carriage with the shaft, a support for the shaft fixed with respect to said carriage,

and means for rotarily actuating the shaft.

6. Closure actuating apparatus comprising, in combination with a movable closure, a

carriage fixed to the closure, a rotative threaded shaft, a cage mounted on the carriage,'and an expansible-nut-device including a plurality of threaded members pivotalm 1y mounted for swingable actuation on the cage for selectively engaging the carriage with the shaft. 7

7. Closure actuating apparatus comprising, in combination with a movable closure,

a carriage fixed on the closure, a rotative threaded shaft, a cage mounted for oscillation on the carriage, and an expansible-nut-device including a plurality of threaded members pivotally mounted for swingable actuation on the cage for selectively engaging the carriage with the shaft.

8. Closure actuating apparatus comprising, in combination with a movable closure and its c'asing,a carriage fixed on the closure, a threaded shaft having an end journaled for rotation on the casing, an expansible-nutdevice including a plurality of threaded members adapted for swingable actuation into or out of co-operative engagement with the shaft for selectively engaging the carriage with the shaft, and means including a cage mounted for oscillation on the carriage for swmgingly actuating said threaded members. In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification. v ARTHUR L. FREULER. 

